Suns miss Smith

The Northland Suns got their Super City Basketball Competition season under way, getting more than they bargained for against the talented Harbour Basketball outfit, who defeated them 93-67.

Ahead of Saturday's game at Breakers Stadium, the Suns learned the disappointing news that Kevin Smith - who had signalled his intentions to play for them in the pre-season although he was based in Auckland - had decided to play for Waitakere.

Coach Ross Cronshaw said the experienced National Basketball League Auckland Pirates player's absence left a hole in the team.

"He would have been one of our key scorers," Cronshaw said.

The Suns looked to use their bench early in the game when they got into foul trouble. Justin Friedrich came off the bench, scoring nine points and gaining six rebounds, impressing Cronshaw.

The visitors trailed Harbour from tip-off, struggling to score while battling Harbour's defensive pressure from a classy line-up containing NBL players Josh Bloxham, Dion Prewster and Morgan Nathan. It was not the start the Suns were looking for, but as the game progressed, the Suns started to find momentum and played quality basketball.

"The inside guys played well and managed to get two-pointers but we struggled on the perimeter and only got two three-pointers," Cronshaw said.

Centre Warrick Siddall, power forward Niasi Malua and Travis McIlroy, who started at shooting guard before shifting to point guard - had strong games, with Malua the top scorer, shooting 16 points, getting seven rebounds, and four assists. Cronshaw said it would be back to the drawing board at training, where the team would work on composure, offensive sets and being selective about shots. The Suns were disappointed in their efforts but pumped for a better show next weekend against Auckland, at the Breakers Stadium.